21 February 2023 Current Affairs – The Day’s Top News | GKSERIES

Current Affairs is the most important area in all competitive exams. But the difficulty level is very high. That’s why; many aspirants get confused, how to select Current Affairs for Preparation of Competitive Examination? In this Post, Daily Current Affairs 21 February 2023, we have tried to cover each and every point and also included all important facts from National/ International news that are useful for upcoming competitive examinations such as UPSC, SSC, Railway, State Govt. etc.

So, here is the Top News of the Day for 21 February 2023 to help you prepare the Latest Current Affairs part. After reading this section, you can successfully attempt Current Affairs Quiz.

Current Affairs for Competitive Exam – 21 February 2023

76th BAFTA Awards 2023: Check the complete list of winners

76th BAFTA Awards 2023: The 76th British Academy Film Awards, or BAFTAs, were handed out at the Royal Festival Hall in London, England. The award was hosted by actor Richard E Grant, the star-studded ceremony saw the German ant-war film All Quiet on the Western Front winning seven awards, including the two big wins awards, Best Film and Best Director. Shaunak Sen’s documentary All That Breathes from India was a nominee for the Best Documentary award, which went to Daniel Roher’s Navalny.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Here are the complete list of winners:

About BAFTA

BAFTA – The British Academy of Cinema and Television Arts is a major independent arts foundation that promotes the development of creative talent in the UK and abroad while bringing the best work in film, games, and television to the public’s attention. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration.

International Mother Language Day observed on 21st February

International Mother Language Day: International Mother Language Day is observed annually on February 21 to promote linguistic, cultural, and multilingual diversity. The aim of the celebrations is to preserve traditional knowledge and cultures through sustainable methods and support multilingualism in societies.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Theme of International Mother Language Day

The recommendations from the Changing Education Summit are in line with the 2023 International Mother Language Day theme, “Multilingual education – a necessity to transform education”, where an emphasis was also placed on Indigenous people’s education and languages.

Significance of International Mother Language Day

International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion, and the Sustainable Development Goals’ focus on leaving no one behind. Multilingual education based on mother tongue or first language is encouraged and promoted by UNESCO. It is a type of education that begins in the language that the learner masters most and then gradually introduces other languages. This approach enables learners whose mother tongue is different from the language of instruction to bridge the gap between home and school, to discover the school environment in a familiar language, and thus, learn better.

History of International Mother Language Day

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Assembly established International Mother Language Day in November 1999. The idea to celebrate International Mother Language Day was the initiative of Bangladesh. The UN General Assembly welcomed the proclamation of the day in its resolution of 2002.

On 16 May 2007 the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/61/266 called upon Member States “to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by peoples of the world”. By the same resolution, the General Assembly proclaimed 2008 as the International Year of Languages, to promote unity in diversity and international understanding, through multilingualism and multiculturalism and named the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to serve as the lead agency for the Year.

Former IAS BVR Subrahmanyam appointed new NITI Aayog CEO

Chief Executive Officer of Niti Aayog: BVR Subrahmanyam, a former IAS officer, has been selected to lead Niti Aayog as its next CEO. The former Commerce Secretary takes over from Parameswaran lyer, who has been named as the Executive Director of World Bank. When Parameswaran Iyer joins the World Bank as an executive director in Washington, DC, Subrahmanyam will succeed him as CEO.  Subrahmanyam’s appointment as NITI Aayog CEO was announced by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. Mr. Subrahmanyam’s appointment is for two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

About the BVR Subrahmanyam

• In September 2022, Subrahmanyam, an IAS from the Chhattisgarh cadre class of 1987, left his position as secretary of commerce. During his year-long stint at the department of commerce, Subrahmanyam played a key role in strategising the road map to a record $422 billion merchandise exports, as the economy struggled to get out of the post-Covid slump last year.
• He also steered at least half a dozen free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. During his tenure in the commerce department, India signed two trade deals — with the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. Subrahmanyam, who is regarded as an authority on internal security, formerly served as Jammu and Kashmir’s chief secretary.

What is NITI Aayog?

NITI Aayog is developing itself as a state-of-the-art resource centre with the necessary knowledge and skills that will enable it to act with speed, promote research and innovation, provide strategic policy vision for the government, and deal with contingent issues. The Planning Commission has been replaced by a new organisation called NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India).  A cabinet Resolution issued gave details of the new institutions.

Important Takeaways For All Competitive Exams:

    NITI Aayog Vice Chairman: Suman Bery;

    NITI Aayog Formed: 1 January 2015;

    NITI Aayog Headquarters: New Delhi.

Telugu actor and politician Nandamuri Taraka Ratna passes away

Nandamuri Taraka Ratna: Telugu actor and politician Nandamuri Taraka Ratna is no more. The 39-year-old actor, who was affiliated with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), breathed his last in Bengaluru on February 18, Saturday. He had been under treatment in Bengaluru for nearly 23 days after a cardiac arrest last month. Taraka Ratna was the grandson of legendary film actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister late NT Rama Rao and son of Nandamuri Mohan Krishna.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Taraka Ratna, made his debut in 2002 with Okato Number Kurraadu. He went on to star in films like Yuva Rathna, Taarak, Bhadradri Ramudu and Amaravathi. Taraka Ratna made his OTT debut last year with Disney Plus Hotstar’s 9 Hours. He was last seen in S5 No Exit.

Nitin Gadkari Laid Foundation Stone First Divyang Park of Maharashtra

Nitin Gadkari Laid Foundation Stone First Divyang Park of Maharashtra: Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, officially set the cornerstone for Nagpur, Maharashtra’s Anubhuti Inclusive Park, the largest and most distinctive Divyang Park in the world. On the occasion, he informed that the park is being developed keeping in mind the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build an inclusive society. Instead of sympathy, this park will show empathy, hence this park has been named Anubhuti Divyang Park.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari noted that through the unique Divyang Park, the message of inclusion will reach not only the country but also in the whole world. The Minister noted that the park will have adapted facilities for all 21 types of disabilities, it will have facilities like a touch and-smell garden, hydrotherapy unit, water therapy, and independent room for mentally challenged children, and mothers. He informed that Nagpur city is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. In 2016, the central government passed the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act for the rights of persons with disabilities.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

He noted that the goal of the law is to provide disabled people the ability to live with dignity. Taking initiative under this, the Central Government has created some Divyang Parks in South India and Madhya Pradesh, In this series, this ‘Anubhuti Inclusive Park’ is being built for disabled children and general citizens in the Pardi campus of Nagpur. He added that it is the world’s first inclusive disabled park, and a provision of about Rs 12 crore has been made by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for this park being built in an area of 90 thousand square feet.

Saurashtra beat Bengal to bag second Ranji Trophy title 2022-23

Ranji Trophy final: In the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Saurashtra defeated Bengal by nine wickets to win the 2022–23 Ranji Trophy for the second time.  Saurashtra won their second Ranji Trophy title at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Saurashtra won the Ranji Trophy title for the first time in 2019-20.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Ranji Trophy final: Brief Scores

• Bengal – 174 and 241 in 70.4 overs (Manoj Tiwary 68, Anustup Majumdar 61; Jaydev Unadkat 6/85, Chetan Sakariya 3/76).
• Saurashtra– 404 and 14/1 in 2.4 overs.

Key points of the Match:

• Saurashtra needed 14 runs to win, which they got in 2.4 overs with the loss of just 1 wicket.
• Jaydev Unadkat and Chetan Sakariya, who were the heroes of Saurashtra’s victory, together broke the back of Bengal’s batting, and the team could only manage 241 runs in the second innings.
• Unadkat took 9 wickets, while Chetan Sakaria took 6 wickets.
• Saurashtra won the toss in the match and decided to bowl first.
• Bengal could only score 174 runs while batting in the first inning.
• Unadkat took three wickets while Chetan Sakaria also took three wickets. Chirag Jani and DA Jadeja got two wickets each.
• Saurashtra then took a huge lead over Bengal by scoring 404 runs in the first innings.
• The second innings was also poor for Bengal and the team could only manage 241 runs. In such a situation, he could get a slight lead of 11 runs over Saurashtra.
• Saurashtra captain Unadkat was adjudged man of the match for his nine-wicket haul in the match, while teammate Arpit Vasavada was adjudged player of the Ranji season.

Meghana Pandit appoints as CEO of Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, one of the country’s leading teaching hospitals, has appointed Professor Meghana Pandit, a renowned physician of Indian descent, as its CEO. In addition to being the first person of Indian descent to be nominated CEO of any National Health Service (NHS) trust in the Shelford Group, which includes some of the largest teaching hospitals in the nation, Ms. Pandit becomes the trust’s first female chief.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

Ms. Pandit, who was serving as the interim CEO at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) since July 2022, was permanently appointed to the post following a “rigorous and competitive process,” which concluded after what OUH described as an extensive national and international recruitment search.

Who is Meghana Pandit?

• Ms. Pandit received her training in obstetrics and gynaecology in the Oxford Deanery and served as a guest lecturer in urogynecology at the University of Michigan in the United States.
• She has served as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) within the NHS trusts and led the development of a clinical strategy with the responsibility of overseeing hundreds of doctors.
• She holds honorary professorships at Warwick University and Green Templeton College at the University of Oxford, respectively.
• The CEO of the NHS trust is personally responsible, along with the NHS Chief Executive, as the parliamentary accountable officer for ensuring that the organisation works effectively in accordance with national policy and public service values, and maintains proper financial stewardship.

Ben Stokes breaks the record for the most sixes ever hit in a Test match

Ben Stokes breaks the record for the most sixes ever hit in a Test match: In the match against New Zealand, England Test captain Ben Stokes surpassed England coach and former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum to become the player to hit the most sixes in Test cricket history.  Stokes holds the world record for hitting two sixes in the second innings of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Mount Maunganui (New Zealand). Stokes played an innings of 31 runs in 33 balls, which included three fours and two sixes.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

An overview of the news

• With 109 sixes, 12 centuries, and 28 fifties, Stokes scored 5,652 runs overall at an average of 36.00 in 90 Test matches. His individual best score in Tests is 258. McCullum has 107 sixes in 101 Tests. He scored 6,453 runs at an average of 38.64. He has a best Test score of 302, 12 centuries, and 31 fifties. most prolific sixer in test cricket by a batsman.
• Australia’s Adam Gilchrist is third after Stokes (109) and McCullum (107) to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket. Chris Gayle of West Indies is fourth in the list with 98 sixes and Jacques Kallis of South Africa is fifth with 97 sixes. India’s Virender Sehwag is in sixth place, he has hit 91 sixes. Sehwag is the Indian to hit the most sixes in Tests.

Govt approves Rs 30.40 cr ‘Sensor-based Smart Agriculture’ project

Govt approves Rs 30.40 cr ‘Sensor-based Smart Agriculture’ project : The government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved a Rs 30.40 crore project “Sensor-based Smart Agriculture” envisaging integration of agriculture with technology driven by Artificial Insemination and IoT for automation of practices, enhanced resource use efficiency and profitability.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

According to an official statement, the project, which is aimed at establishing a ‘sensor-based smart agriculture ecosystem’ would prove to be helpful for the agri-economy of the region. The integration of agriculture with technology driven by AI and IoT will make agriculture alluring, professional and competitive.

“The project would enable the use of Hi-tech poly houses for the cultivation of cash crops around the year with the application of IoT and automation for monitoring the microclimatic parameters of plants. The greenhouse technology will result in increased yields and make possible off-season availability of vegetables as early production or late availability as compared to open field conditions,” the statement said.

Poet V Madhusoodanan Nair receives Jnanappana award 2023

Poet V Madhusoodanan Nair receives Jnanappana award 2023 : A noted writer, V Madhusoodanan Nair has been selected for Jnanappana Puraskaram 2023 for his contribution to the field of literature. The award consists of a Rs 50,001 cash prize, a 10-gram gold locket with an image of Sree Guruvayoorappan, a citation, and a memento.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

This award was instituted by Guruvayur Devaswom in memory of ‘Poonthanam Namboothiri’, the ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan, who wrote Jnanappana. The award will be presented on February 24, 2023.

North India’s first nuclear power plant to be set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana

North India’s first nuclear power plant to be set up in Gorakhpur, Haryana : North India’s first nuclear power plant will come up in Haryana in the village of Gorakhpur in Fatehabad district, 150 km north of the national capital, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh has said. The plant will be built on 560 hectares of land.

February 2023 Current Affairs Quiz

He added that during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s regime, one of the major achievements would be the installation of nuclear/ atomic energy plants in other parts of the country, which were earlier confined mostly to the southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh or in the west in Maharashtra.
Aim: To generate 2800 MW.
The first phase will be completed by 2025 and the second by 2028. As the second phase completes, the plant will be fully operational to generate 2800 MW. The project will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 20,594 crores.

Construction of other Main Plant buildings/structures viz. Fire Water Pump House (FWPH), Safety Related Pump House (SRPH), Fuel Oil storage area-1&2 (FOSA-1&2), Ventilation stack, overhead tank (OHT), Switchyard Control Building, Safety related & Non-safety related Tunnel & Trenches, Retaining walls and Garland Drain is progressing well. Ground improvement in Turbine Building -1 & 2, 220 kV Switchyard and IDCT-1A is completed.

Ground improvement in other areas IDCTs, 400kV Switchyard, Emergency makeup water pond and station roads are in progress. The contractors for IDCT package and Turbine Island Package have mobilized site.